ISO Gala at Weston

Ian Keam-George reports on the racing

The weekend of September 13th & 14th saw 17 ISOs arrive by various road routes and one sailed over from Gurnard, IOW, by Philip Bunn & Andy Parkhouse.

Conditions were outstanding with brilliant sunshine and a steady Force 3 to 4 breeze.

Racing was close throughout the fleet especially as the leaders seemed to suffer from navigation problems on the windward legs. This provided for close competition and some new faces leading races. Race 3 was particularly interesting when the windward mark drifted downwind to make a very short first beat and was then moved to its correct position just as the leading group were approaching.

After three races on day one Jonny Wells & Bugsy in Neil Pryde were overall leaders having posted results of 1,2 & 3 from Mike Lillywhite crewed by 2001 National & Eurocup Champion Andrew Gould and Ian & Katie Keam-George in Enigma Vehicle Systems.

Similarly good conditions existed on Sunday providing exciting downwind legs and challenging beats. More close racing in races 4 and 5 ensured the winner of the event would be decided on the last race. Both Keam-George and Lillywhite posted first places and Neil Pryde remained in touch with a 2nd and 4th.

Race 6 saw Enigma Vehicle Systems take the lead on lap 2 which was held to the finish followed by Neil Pryde in 2nd and Team Rooster 3rd.

Thanks must go to Weston for a well run event and to the Race Officer who had to cope with several unusual incidents.

Overall Results:

1st ISO 1188 'Enigma Vehice Systems' Ian Keam-George and Katie Keam-George (Essex YC) 7pts
2nd ISO 1176 'Neil Pryde' Jonny Wells and Bugsy (Essex YC) 10pts
3rd ISO 815 'Team Rooster' Mike Lillywhite and Andy Gould (Emsworth Slipper SC) 11pts;
4th ISO 822 'Temting Fate' Ross Ashton and Chris Burch (RYA) 18pts
5th ISO 1013 'Team RWO' Pete Lindley and Annie (RYA) 22pts